SEX PISTOLS God Save The Queen A&M Original Test Pressing

Following a number of similar questions I've taken some more pictures of the record, this time with a better camera.

SEX PISTOLS– God Save The Queen

Original First Issue UK Test Pressing

A&M Cat.No. AMS 7284

Matrix – A2 / - B1

Copies of this record on A&M are amongst the rarest and most sought after of all time. The circumstances leading to its rarity are well known but to recap the Sex Pistols joined A&M in March 1977, a few months after being dumped by EMI following the now legendary Bill Grundy TV interview. The contract signing took place outside Buckingham Palace but within a week they had been dropped and the planned rush release of God Save The Queen cancelled. This led A&M to destroy the copies of the record they’d already produced but a few escaped the melt down and have been much sought after ever since.

It was standard practice back then that a record company would initially press a handful of Test Pressings (TP’s) to check that everything sounded as it should before putting a record into full production. Consequently Test Pressings are the very first copies of a record that are made and obviously much, much rarer than later finished copies.

This is one of those test pressings. The A&M cat No. AMS7284 and the matrix numbers A2 and B1 are clearly written in the run-out grooves on the A-side and B-side respectively. As with all UK singles back then there is a small raised, ribbed border between the outer edge of the label and the run-out groove.

This record in fantastic condition. It was given to its owner by an A&M Director shortly after the band’s departure, played once or twice, taped and put away. It was subsequently put into storage where it has remained since the mid-80s. A BBC breakfast news article about the reissuing of the single a few months ago however prompted them to look it out. After much consideration they have decided to let this fabulous rarity go. Finished copies of this record rarely come up for sale and Test Pressings are even scarcer. The majority of the handful made would probably have been destroyed by A&M at the time the other stock was. The only other God Save The Queen test pressing I have heard of in existence is the one mentioned in the June 2002 edition of Record Collector.

Condition:

The record is in wonderful condition. There are no scratches and the vinyl has a good ‘like new’ shine. This is without doubt a top grade, mint condition copy.

The plain white label with the exception of having yellowed slightly over time has no marks and is clean and again worthy of a mint condition grading.

Apart from some minor creasing the A&M company bag is in excellent condition.    

This is not a reissue but a guaranteed 1977 original as well documented in Record Collector magazine in June 2002 and Aug 2003. Please bid in confidence.

Payment Terms:

Paypal or Bank Transfer within 3 days.

Postage/Shipping:

This will be extra and once the auction has finished I will discuss the safest, most appropriate way of delivering this great rarity to the winning bidder’s destination. 

Good luck .